Zwolle and Kampen: the long sick leave in the Netherlands

Over 22,000 people with a benefit in Kampen

More and more employees are calling in sick. In Zwolle, the number of employees on sick leave has increased by 4 per cent in the past five years. In Kampen, even 15.7 per cent more people with a benefit.

High numbers in IJssel delta

However, Zwolle and Kampen are not doing badly compared to other Dutch cities. In the IJssel delta, the average number of employees on sick leave is 4.6%. In the Achterhoek, that percentage is slightly higher at 4.7%, and in Twente it is 4.4%.

Difficult group

The increase means extra pressure on social service employees. There are also many cases in which it is difficult to determine whether someone is actually unfit for work. “One third is actually able to work again, but we have to find suitable work for them,” says an employee of the social service in an interview with the Stentor.